Calories needed

Firstly sorry if this had already been talked about before, I did do a quick forum search but couldn't find anything!

I know to gain weight (from a restrictive ED) it is recommended to eat 3000 cals a day. But after some other reading my question is this the same for all heights? I'm guessing as I am tall, 5'9, I would need more?

Any info would be great. Thanks in advance!

I don't think it's about height, but rather about your current weight.

You start out at 2500-3000 (it's usually dependent upon your age - under 21 burn more naturally and will need more for repair because their bodies should still be developing), and then you keep upping it until you stop gaining.  After the first month or so at the higher calories, you will start to maintain on higher -- and then you need to up it.  You've read Gwyneth's blog, so you know how important it is to get up there and stay up there.

3000 would be okay, but if you feel like you can handle more, go for it :) You are very tall.

Thanks for all your replies! I never thought about height being an issue before but it was actually on Gwyneths blog that she replied to a thread saying you may need more calories if you 5'8+

Glad I have cleared it up! I just dont want to mess up recovery :)

If you are taller than 5 feet 8, the calories are raised (Gwyneth's forum). So yes, you need more. Ask on the forums there or ask her for clarification.

Thanks, think I might ask on there and give more specific details about my height etc.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

3,500 calories would be good, considering how tall you are! You'll need over 3,000 calories to help your metabolism kick start again, give you more energy and help nourish your body into recovery. Remember that exercise should be minimal for a while. Your eating disorder has put your body through Hell, you need to bring it back to health again! :) Good luck, eat a rainbow and embrace your recovery! 

Make sure you eat 5- 6 meals a day of 500-600  calories, and stay away from junk food and sugar, gaining weight is easy but is also easy to gain weight and lose your good health.

 

She's recovering from a restrictive eating disorder. She doesn't need to eat ONLY healthy. Jeesh, so annoying.

Of course eat your grains, proteins, fats (avocados, olive oils, egg yolks, fatty salmon, nuts, etc), dairy, fruits, veggies. But for goodness sakes you can eat dessert and have treats and chocolate (I like dark chocolate), etc.

I was in a hospital before and we had to have dessert every night and day, etc. It was just the hospital's menu plan (they had crappy food as you can imagine). I survived and it was MUCH better than orthorexia, trust me.

Thank you bitebybite101 and julie8705!

I am embracing recovery and trying to enjoy food like your ment too! New flavours, combinations etc! And yes I am not exercising at all. I need to look after my body for once! 

Strangely, I have always ate chocolate even at my lowest weight I still ate chocolate every day. I guess for me it was my 'safe' food...ha kinda strange?! Still least it makes it easier now to get more calories into my body, and I guess I'm not really at risk of developing Orthorexia?!

Thanks again, everyone has been a big help :)

Glad to be of some help. you've taken really wise & brave steps towards recovery, so just keep at it and don't let anything get in your way!  

Chocolate is a great recovery food, & it makes it even easier if that is a safer food for you. Aha, enjoy & just remember to get enough calories in! Orthorexia is very, very frustrating, and I'm so glad your strong enough to eat those calorie dense foods like chocolate. 

Keep at it, wishing you the best of luck!!! x